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Sporting KC drops home opener 2-0

by Brian Turrel

Sporting Kansas City looked like a team still under construction in a season-opening 2-0 loss against New York City FC on Sunday evening.

The retooled offense showed flashes of its potential, but struggled to make the right connections for scoring, especially in the first half.

New Sporting KC forward Johnny Russell, playing from the left wing most of the game, was “incredibly dangerous” in the words of head coach Peter Vermes. He played in crosses from the wing as well as dribbling through defenders in the penalty area.

Newly signed Sporting midfielder Felipe Gutierrez won eight tackles and placed two shots on goal.

NYCFC got a goal in the 32nd minute by forward Maxi Morales, who got a cross from the left wing from David Villa.

New York got its second goal after halftime in the 53rd minute. Forward Jesus Medina, in his MLS debut, knocked in a cross he received near the penalty spot.

Sporting stepped up its offensive energy after Vermes brought in Daniel Salloi and Gerso Fernandes in the second half. The team maintained longer possessions and spent more time near the New York goal but still wasn’t able to get past goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

SKC goalkeeper Tim Melia attempted to shoulder blame for the score.

“We gave up four shots [on goal]. I just didn’t make any big saves. That’s on me. It’s not like we’re leaking shots and they’re getting opportunities all over the field,” Melia said.

Sporting KC will play on the road at the Chicago Fire on Saturday, March 10. The next home game is Saturday, March 17, against the San Jose Earthquakes.

Forward Yohan Croizet launched a shot that went just wide to the left. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Sporting forward Diego Rubio tried to recapture the ball from defender Maxime Chanot. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Midfielder Felipe Gutierrez, right, tried to catch up with the ball near the New York goal. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Defender Cristian Lobato made an outstanding play racing back to break up a two-on-one breakaway near the end of the first half. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Midfielder Roger Espinoza took a shot in the second half. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Gerso Fernandes was taken down just outside the penalty box by New York defender Maxime Chanot. Chanot received a red card. Sporting was awarded a free kick but was not able to score. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Defender Graham Zusi launched a corner kick in the opening minutes of the game. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia, right, greeted New York goalkeeper Sean Johnson before the game. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

State basketball tournament update

Piper High School will send two teams to the 4A – Division 1 state tournament this week in Salina.

The Lady Pirates beat Basehor-Linwood 62-45 in the sub-state final Saturday evening in Basehor. Piper’s 21-0 season record earned the top seed in the state tournament, and the Pirates will play Paola in the first round on Wednesday at 3 p.m.

The Piper boys also faced off with Basehor-Linwood for a sub-state championship plaque, winning 64-61 in overtime. They will play Andover Central on Thursday at 4:45 p.m.

Both Schlagle High School basketball teams also earned berths at the 5A state tournament in Topeka. The Stallions defeated the Olathe West Owls 61-50 on Friday night at Schlagle. They will face Wichita’s Bishop Carroll High School on Wednesday at 4:45 p.m.

The Schlagle girls will also play against Bishop Carroll, tipping off at 8:15 p.m. on Thursday. They won 77-70 over Topeka’s Highland Park on Friday to earn their tournament spot.

In other notable sub-state tournament action, the Bonner Springs boys advanced to their 4A sub-state final, played Saturday evening. Despite their 19-2 regular season record, they lost to Bishop Miege 78-48. Local district superintendents recently joined to express concern about Miege’s competitive advantage over other 4A schools.

The Wyandotte High School boys also advanced to their 5A sub-state final, but lost 64-63 on a last-second game-winning shot by Mill Valley. See Wyandotte Daily’s coverage and game photos here.

Mill Valley beats Bulldogs with last-second heave

by Brian Turrel

The young and talented Wyandotte Bulldogs will almost certainly have their day at the state tournament, but it will not be in 2018. Their gutsy comeback was undone in the game’s final second by a halfcourt heave from Mill Valley standout Cooper Kaifes. The Bulldogs lost at home 64-63 in the 5A sub-state finals.

The Bulldogs were down as many as 10 points midway through second quarter before going on a run to pull within 3 at halftime, 31-28.

Wyandotte used halfcourt trapping to force wild passes from the Mill Valley ball handlers. Diamond Hines usually defended Kaifes on the perimeter, but Wyandotte rotated on dribble drives to keep a man in front of him.

The Bulldogs fought back to take the lead with three minutes to go in the game, and then pushed to a 5-point advantage with one minute left. The home crowd buzzed with anticipation of a trip to the state tournament, and the Bulldogs’ bench jumped with each score. Mill Valley got a defensive stop and a turnover to get back to a one-possession game.

With Wyandotte up by 1 point with five seconds remaining, Mill Valley fouled to stop the clock. Wyandotte hit one of two free throws to go up by 2. Kaifes took the inbounds pass, dribbled past the halfcourt line, and launched his heartbreaker.

A gang of midnight blue Mill Valley players dogpiled Kaifes, while the Wyandotte Bulldogs sank to the court in shock.

Hines led the Bulldogs with 25 points. Walzel Evans scored 17, and Joseph Moye added 11.

Wyandotte finished the season with an 11-6 overall record, earning the Kansas City – Atchison League championship.